'What lies within us' : 2012 Graduates honored at Newmarket High School

Saturday

Jun 9, 2012 at 3:15 AMJun 11, 2012 at 12:06 PM

By ABBY KESSLERakessler@fosters.com

NEWMARKET — Sixty-three seniors of the Class of 2012 at Newmarket High School graduated on Friday, June 8, at 6 p.m. in the school's gymnasium.

Hundreds of families and friends filled bleachers and folding chairs that lined the gym floor. They were snapping pictures, hugging and holding bouquets of flowers for their graduates.

The school band accompanied seniors during the processional, as graduates marched into the gymnasium, young women wearing white robes and young men dressed in black. The seniors marched to a stage in the center of the room, a banner suspended over their seats with the class quote written in a tall cursive font.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us," read the quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The class motto was returned to throughout the ceremony, others recalling the potential that each student graduating holds within.

The national anthem followed the processional sung by graduating senior Melissa Ransdell.

Tyler Dodds, class president, opened the ceremony, speaking highly of his fellow classmates and their growth over the years. He recalled his aspirations as a young child, dreaming of becoming both an astronaut and firefighter while residing in a seaside mansion. He marveled at his dreams and recognized how they had changed throughout the years as he grew into a young man.

"Our graduation marks one of the first big leaps in our lives," he said. "I am excited to see where we each end up, what the future holds for each of my classmates in the years to come."

The commencement continued with Trevor Kiefaber, the class of 2012's salutatorian. Arthur Proulx, math teacher at Newmarket High School, introduced Kiefaber as he told attendants of the magnificent growth he had witnessed in the young man since they met. He noted the Kiefaber's exceptional performance on the SATs, receiving a perfect score on the math section of the exam, as well as his participation in Advanced Placement courses that the school offered. In addition he helped lead the math team to the championship this year, has participated in three varsity sports and has never missed a day of school.

Kiefaber took the podium after his introduction, giving brief anecdotes of his fellow classmates that made each of the students stand on their unique qualities.

"Don't be afraid to be different," he said. "My teachers have taught me to be a little quirky and that is an incredibly important lesson."

Valedictorian Stephanie Brady took the stand after Kiefaber, her speech linked together with the common thread of doors being open throughout the classmates movement from kindergarten to their senior year.

She remembered how difficult it was to be parted from her parents in kindergarten and the poignant moment in second grade when "the walls of our security was demolished on September 11, 2001." She recalled in fourth grade when she was introduced to the music room and the magic it brought, in ninth grade when she entered high school and started studying for the PSATs.

Finally she recognized the present moment standing in the gymnasium, "we are about to open the doors of another adventure, each choosing different doors and parting on our separate journeys," Brady said.

Christopher Andriski, principal, recalled the power of the class as they pushed through renovations that the school went through this past year.

"Members of the 2012 class made us laugh and through this lightness realized that we could get through anything together. You have taught us so much throughout your time here."

The commencement ended with graduates receiving their diplomas, each senior handed a red covered certificate and posing for a picture. With a rather small student body the ceremony was intimate, teachers and students alike taking time to congratulate each other and tell of their time within the brick walls of the Newmarket school system.